Community service chores continue in courthouse

MERCER, Pa. — Criminal offenders will continue to work off community service hours doing janitorial chores at the courthouse, despite problems caused when one such worker stole a computer memory chip from a courthouse office last month.

Mercer County Prison Board members said Monday they do not consider the episode sufficient reason to stop the program, which has been in place since 1992.

County Commissioner Olivia Lazor said the program has been a success and that one problem in 16 years is no reason to cancel it.

Controller Thomas Amundsen said no confidential data was lost from the courthouse. He said that as a result of the theft, procedures have been changed and that such workers will no longer be allowed into offices.